Poker-type games

ABSTRACT

Methods of playing poker-type card games are disclosed. A board is provided with M×N number of cells. Initially at least two cards face down are dealt to at least two players. Then, at least a first group of community cards are drawn and placed face up on the board. Each card is placed in a cell of a different column. After each betting step of one or more betting round, each of the community cards is displaced towards a first direction along the corresponding column. When said displacing forces a card beyond the last cell of the column a replacement card is drawn.

The present disclosure relates to card games and more particularly to poker-type card games.

BACKGROUND ART

Poker is a family of card games involving betting and individual play, whereby the winner is determined by the ranks and combinations of their cards, some of which remain hidden until the end of the game. Poker games vary in the number of cards that may be dealt, the number of shared or “community” cards that may be drawn and the number of cards that may remain hidden. The betting procedures vary among different poker games in such ways as betting limits and splitting the pot between a high hand and a low hand.

In most modern poker games, the first round of betting begins with one of the players making some form of a forced bet (the blind and/or ante). Texas hold 'em (also known as “hold 'em” or “holdem”) is a variation of the standard card game of poker. Texas hold 'em consists of two cards (hole cards) being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer—a series of three (the “flop”) then an additional single card (the “turn” or “fourth”) and another additional card (the “river” or “fifth street”)—with players having the option to check, bet, raise or fold after each deal; i.e., betting may occur prior to the flop, “on the flop”, “on the turn”, and “on the river”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect a method of playing a poker-type card game is disclosed. The method comprises providing a board with M×N number of cells, wherein M is a number of rows and N a number of columns. The method further comprises: initially dealing at least one card face down to at least two players dealing at least a first group of community cards placing the community cards face up on the board, placing each card in a cell of a different column; displacing each of the community cards towards a first direction along the corresponding column after each betting step of one or more betting rounds; dealing a replacement card to replace a community card when said displacing forces said community card beyond the last cell of the column; and, determining a best poker hand between said at least two players comprising said best poker hand at least one of said at least one face down cards initially dealt to one of said at least two players and at least one card from said at least first group of community cards.

As the community cards may change during the game, the method of playing proposed provides an incentive to all players to remain in the game (i.e. to not fold). If, for example, players face unfavourable community cards in combination with their own cards, they may have the aspiration that one or more of the unfavourable community cards may be replaced by a more favourable card after a series of betting steps.

The implementation of the board may be effected with a single row having a displaceable number indicating module next to each cell. For example, a tally counter may be used for each cell. In a digital implementation of the board, a digital counter, counting up or down, each time there is a displacement may be used. In yet other implementations, a pie shaped indicator may be placed next to each cell. In mechanical implementations it may be filled with (or emptied from) wedge like elements. The number of elements may correspond to the number of the selected row in the board. In a digital version, a number of pie sectors may be lit or darkened, corresponding to the selected row in the board. One skilled in the art may appreciate that any type of number indicator may be used to implement the function of the board row number. Therefore, any cell in the board may correspond to a physical or logical column and a physical or logical row. Furthermore, the term “displacement” may not necessarily incur a physical displacement of a card on a board but may correspond to a logical displacement in a board having N×M cells.

In some examples, said placing each card in a cell may comprise randomly selecting for each card a number between 1 and M to determine the row. In some examples, said randomly selecting may comprise dealing a card from a deck of cards having only the cards with the numbers 1 to M. In other examples, said randomly selecting may comprise throwing at least one dice to determine the row.

By randomly selecting the position of the community cards, it may be possible to have different cards being replaced at different stages of the game, thus the interest in each game may be maintained for a longer time.

In some examples, after a first betting round, at least a second group of at least one community card may be drawn. The second group of cards may be placed face up on the board. Each card may be placed in a cell of a different column from the first group. This allows for variations of “holdem” type games to be played.

In some examples after a second betting round, drawing of at least a third group of at least one community card may take place. Each card of the third group of cards may be placed in a cell of a different column from the first and second group. This allows for a game as close as possible to the classic Texas holdem to be played with all three stages of “FLOP”, “TURN” and “RIVER”.

In some examples, said displacing each of the plurality of cards towards a first direction along the corresponding column may comprise determining if there is an available cell in the corresponding column in the first direction and placing the respective card in the available cell. The available cell may be the next cell in the first direction. The first direction may be a descending number direction.

As the cards are movable towards a first direction, players may estimate if a card may remain in the game until the end and appropriate their betting.

In some examples said dealing a replacement card may comprise determining if the card is in the lowermost cell in the first direction before said displacing; removing the card from the board; and, dealing a replacement card. Dealing a replacement card may further comprise placing the replacement card in the uppermost cell in the same column. As a card is removed from the board, the new card may be placed in the uppermost cell with high chances of remaining until the end of the game. However, in alternative implementations, the new card may also be randomly placed in a cell, thus making the game more unpredictable and with a higher level of risk.

In some examples M may be at least equal to the number of players. For example, M may be equal to 9. M should maintain a balance between the number of players, and thus the expected number of bets in each round of betting, and the time it may take for a card to be removed from the board. For few players, e.g. 2-4 a number M about double the number of players may be sufficient. For more players, a cap may be placed so that it may not take long before removing a card.

In some examples two cards may be initially dealt face down to the at least two players; and the first group of community cards may comprise three community cards face up on the board. This may allow for the rules of Texas holdem to prevail at the end of the game. Also, it allows players familiar with Texas holdem to be more easily introduced to the game.

In another aspect, a computing device is disclosed. The computing device comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores computer program instructions executable by the processor. Said instructions comprise functionality to execute a method of playing a poker-type card game according to examples herein. The board functionality may be implemented in a slot machine type game. The board may be implemented with a movement of revolving reels of a slot machine. However, other implementations, such as internet based games played in a computing device connected to the internet, may be possible. In some examples, a player may interact with a computing device in such a way that the computing device may simulate the game and may even simulate one or more players.

In another aspect a computer program product comprises instructions to provoke that a computing device implements a method of playing a poker-type card game according to examples herein.

Additional objects, advantages and features of embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a high level flow diagram of a method of playing a poker game according to an example;

FIG. 2 is a high level flow diagram of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a setup FLOP stage of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a FLOP card displacement stage of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a setup TURN and RIVER stages of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a TURN and RIVER card displacement stages of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a betting stage of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game according to an example;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a FOLD stage according to an example;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a TURN stage according to an example;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a RIVER stage according to an example;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a final stage according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a high level flow diagram of a method of playing a poker game according to an example. During a start stage 105, forced bets are placed, one or more cards face down are dealt and the starting bets are placed. Then, during a setup stage 110, a board is used to place at least a first group of dealt community cards face up on the board placing each community card in a cell of a different column. Then, during a betting stage 115 bets are placed. After each betting step, e.g. a bet, a call or a raise, the cards on the board may be displaced, during a card displacement stage 120, towards a first direction along the corresponding column. When no more betting may be possible then the game ends at end stage 125.

FIG. 2 is a high level flow diagram of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example. During a start stage 205, forced bets are placed, (e.g. a small and a big blind), two cards face down are dealt and the starting bets are placed. Then, during a FLOP setup stage 230 of setup 210, a board is used to place a first group of three community cards are drawn face up on the board by placing each community card in a cell of a different column.

Then, during a betting stage 215 bets may be placed. After each betting step, e.g. a bet, a call or a raise, the FLOP cards on the board may be displaced, during a FLOP card displacement stage 260 of card displacement stage 220, towards a first direction along the corresponding column. When no more betting may be possible for the FLOP stage then a TURN setup stage 240 may be initiated. The board may be used to place a fourth drawn community card face up on the board in a cell of a different column than the columns of the FLOP stage.

Then, during another betting stage 215 bets may be placed. After each betting step, e.g. a bet, a call or a raise, the FLOP and TURN cards on the board may be displaced, during a FLOP card displacement stage 260 and a TURN card displacement stage 270, towards the first direction along the corresponding column. When no more betting may be possible for the TURN stage then a RIVER setup stage 250 may be initiated. The board may be used to place a fifth drawn community card face up on the board in a cell of a different column than the columns of the FLOP and TURN stages.

Then, during yet another betting stage 215 bets may be placed. After each betting step, e.g. a bet, a call or a raise, the FLOP, TURN and RIVER cards on the board may be displaced, during a FLOP card displacement stage 260, a TURN card displacement stage 270 and a RIVER displacement stage 280, towards the first direction along the corresponding column. When no more betting may be possible for the RIVER stage then the game ends at end stage 225.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a setup FLOP stage of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example. During a start stage 305, a small and a big blind may be placed in stage 306. Then, two cards may be dealt face down for each player in step 307. Subsequently, initial bets are placed on the table in step 309. Then, a FLOP setup stage 330 follows. In step 337, a cell Ri1 of the first column in a board may be selected. The selection may be a random selection. The random selection may be made by a dice, a separate deck of cards or by, e.g. a device providing random numbers. The board may have M number of rows, each row containing N number of cells. In a holdem type game, N may be equal to 5. M may be bigger than the number of players in the game. For example M may be equal to 9. Then, in step 332 a first community card (1FUP) may be drawn face up and placed, in step 333, on the selected cell of the first column. Then, in step 334, a cell Rj2 of the second column in the board may be randomly selected. In step 335, a second community card (2FUP) may be drawn face up and placed, in step 336, on the selected cell of the second column. Accordingly, in step 337, a cell Rk3 of the third column in the board may be randomly selected. In step 338, a third community card (3FUP) may be drawn face up and placed, in step 339, on the selected cell of the third column. This may conclude the FLOP setup stage 330 and the game may continue with betting in step 315.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a FLOP card displacement stage of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example. After a betting step 415, e.g. a bet, a call or a raise step, a FLOP card displacement stage may take place in step 460. In step 4605, the card of the first column may be displaced to the next lower in rank cell in the column. In step 4610 it may be checked if the displacement forces the card beyond the boundaries of the board, i.e. if the card was already at the lowermost cell of the column prior to displacement. If that is the case, then the card may be removed in step 4615 and a new card may be drawn and placed face up at the uppermost cell of the same column on the board in step 4620. If that is not the case, i.e. if the first card was not at the lowermost cell, or if a new card is drawn, then the game may continue in step 4625 for the second column.

In step 4625, the card of the second column may be displaced to the next lower in rank cell in the column. In step 4630 it may be checked again if the displacement forces the card beyond the boundaries of the board, i.e. if the card was already at the lowermost cell of the column prior to displacement. If that is the case, then the card may be removed in step 4635 and a new card may be placed face up at the uppermost cell of the second column on the board in step 4640. If that is not the case (i.e. if the second card was not already at the lowermost cell) or if a new card is drawn, then the game may continue in step 4645 for the third column.

In step 4645, the card of the third column may be displaced to the next lower in rank cell in the column. In step 4650 it may be checked accordingly if the displacement may force the card beyond the boundaries of the board (i.e. if the card was already in the lowermost cell of the column prior to displacement). If that is the case, then the card may be removed in step 4655 and a new card may be placed face up at the uppermost cell of the third column on the board in step 4660. If that is not the case (i.e. if the third card was not already at the lowermost cell) or if a new card is drawn, then the game may continue in step 4665.

In step 4665, it may be considered if the game is during a FLOP stage, i.e. if only 3 cards may be present on the board. If the answer is yes, then the game may continue with betting 415. Otherwise, the process of card displacement may continue in a similar manner in TURN card displacement step 470.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a setup TURN and RIVER stages of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example. After betting 515 has stopped during a FOLD or TURN stage, the board may need to be completed with another card in TURN or RIVER setup stages, respectively. For example, after a FOLD betting round 515, the game may continue to a TURN setup stage 540. In step 542, a cell Rq4 of the fourth column in a board may be randomly selected. Then, in step 544 a fourth community card (4FUP) may be drawn face up and may be placed in step 546 on the selected cell Rq4 of the fourth column.

Accordingly, after a TURN betting round 515, the game may continue to a RIVER setup stage 550. In step 552, a cell Rv5 of the fifth column in a board may be randomly selected. Then, in step 554 a fifth community card (5FUP) may be drawn face up and may be placed in step 556 on the selected cell Rv5 of the fifth column.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a TURN and RIVER displacement stages of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example. After a FLOP card displacement stage 660 it may be determined that there is a TURN stage present or passed. Therefore the game may continue in a TURN card displacement stage 670. In step 6705, the card of the fourth column may be displaced to the next lower in rank cell in the column. In step 6710 it is checked if the displacement may be beyond the boundaries of the board, i.e. if the card was already at the lowermost cell of the column prior to displacement. If that is the case, then the card may be removed in step 6715 and a new card may be placed face up at the uppermost cell of the same column on the board in step 6720. If that is not the case, i.e. if the 4th card was not at the lowermost cell, or if a new card is drawn, then the game may continue in step 6725 to determine if the game is during a RIVER stage. If the answer is no, then betting may continue in step 615. Otherwise, the game may continue in a RIVER card displacement stage 680. In step 6805, the card of the fifth column may be displaced to the next lower in rank cell in the column. In step 6810 it may be checked if the displacement is beyond the boundaries of the board, i.e. if the card was already at the lowermost cell of the column prior to displacement. If that is the case, then the card may be removed in step 6815 and a new card may be placed face up at the uppermost cell of the same column on the board in step 6820. If that is not the case, i.e. if the 5th card was not at the lowermost cell, or if a new card is drawn, then the game may continue with betting in step 615.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a betting stage of a method of playing a holdem type poker game according to an example. After a FLOP setup stage 730, betting may begin in step 715. It may be determined, in step 7152 if a bet has been placed. A bet may be a bet, a call or a raise. If the answer is yes, then the game may continue with a card displacement step 720. Otherwise, it may be determined if the game is in a FLOP stage in step 7154. If the answer is yes, then it may be determined if all but one players have quitted (folded) the game in step 7156. If the answer is yes, then the game may end in step 727 of end stage 725. Otherwise the game may continue with a TURN setup stage 740. If, in step 7154 it is determined that the game is not in a FLOP stage, then it may be determined, in step 7158, if the game is in a TURN stage. If the answer is yes, then it is accordingly determined if all but one players have quitted (folded) the game in step 7160. If the answer is yes, then the game again ends in step 727 of end stage 725. Otherwise, the game may continue with a RIVER setup stage 730. If, in step 7158, it is determined that the game is not in a TURN stage, then it means that it is in a RIVER stage and, since betting has stopped, it is time to show cards in step 729 and end the game in step 727 of END stage 725.

It should be noted that, if a player faced with a current bet wishes to call but has insufficient remaining stake may bet the remainder of his stake and declare himself “all in”. He may now hold onto his cards for the remainder of the deal as if he had called every bet, but may not win any more money from any player above the amount of his bet. If his remaining stake before the “all in” is higher or equal to the higher stake of the other players, then the game may terminate with no more bets. If not all the face up cards have been drawn, then the rest of the face up cards may be drawn at that moment and the players may show their cards. Now, if the game may continue with players having higher stakes, then the game may continue as before and any distribution of the awarded pot may be implemented at the end of the game. However, card displacement may continue as long as betting continues on the table.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game according to an example. The board 800 comprises nine rows and five columns. The first three columns may be used for a FLOP stage, the next column for a TURN stage and the last column for a RIVER stage. However, it should be noted that in other implementations of the game, the board may have more or less rows or columns.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a FOLD stage according to an example. In this example, after the forced bets, the small blind and the big blind, an initial deal of two cards face down for the players may take place from a first deck of cards. Then the FLOP stage may begin. A king of diamonds may be drawn from the first deck of cards and placed face up on the randomly selected fourth cell of the first column. Then, a ten of hearts may be drawn from the first deck of cards and placed face up on the randomly selected seventh cell of the second column. Then, a five of hearts may be drawn from the first deck of cards and placed face up on the randomly selected fifth cell of the third column. This may conclude the FLOP setup stage of the game and betting may continue. The random selection of cells may be implemented with the use of a dice, a second deck of cards or a device for selecting random numbers.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a TURN stage according to an example. In the example game discussed with reference to FIG. 9, three bets may have been placed and therefore each of the cards of the board would be displaced three positions towards the lowermost cell of the corresponding column. Therefore, as may be seen in FIG. 10, the king of diamonds is now in the first cell of the first column, the ten of hearts is now in the fourth cell of the second column, and the five of hearts is now in the second cell of the third column. After betting has stopped, then a fourth community card may have been drawn, a nine of clubs, and placed face up on the randomly selected sixth cell of the fourth column. This may conclude the TURN setup stage of the game and betting may continue.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a RIVER stage according to an example. In the example game discussed with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, two bets may have been placed after the TURN setup stage and therefore each of the cards of the board has been displaced two positions towards the lowermost cell of the corresponding column. Therefore, as may be seen in FIG. 11, the king of diamonds has been removed (after the first TURN stage bet and a jack of clubs may have been drawn and placed on the uppermost cell of the first column. However, the jack of clubs is now in the eighth cell of the first column as yet another bet may have been placed. The ten of hearts is now in the second cell of the second column. The five of hearts may have been removed after the second bet and a six of spades is now in the ninth cell of the third column. The nine of clubs is now in the fourth cell of the fourth column. After betting has stopped, then a fifth community card may have been drawn, a queen of spades, and placed face up on the randomly selected seventh cell of the fifth column. This may conclude the RIVER setup stage of the game and betting may continue.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a board for a holdem type poker game during a final stage according to an example. In the example game discussed with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, two bets may have been placed after the RIVER setup stage and therefore each of the cards of the board may have been displaced two positions towards the lowermost cell of the corresponding column. Therefore, as may be seen in FIG. 12, the jack of clubs may now be in the sixth cell of the first column. The ten of hearts may have been removed and an ace of clubs may now be in the ninth cell of the second column. The six of spades may now be in the seventh cell, the nine of clubs in the second cell of the fourth column and the queen of spades in the fifth cell of the fifth column. After betting stops, the players may open their cards. The first player may have a jack of spades and an ace of hearts. Combined with the jack of clubs of the first column and the ace of clubs of the second column, that would make pairs of aces with jacks. The second player may have a nine of diamonds and a nine of hearts. Combined with the nine of clubs of the fourth column, that would make three nines. Therefore the second player may be declared a winner.

Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Further, although the embodiments of the invention described with reference to the drawings comprise computer apparatus and processes performed in computer apparatus, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting examples of the disclosure into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the processes according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disc or hard disk. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.

When the program is embodied in a signal that may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or means.

Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant processes. 

1. A method of playing a poker-type card game, comprising: providing a board with M×N number of cells, wherein M is a number of rows and N a number of columns, initially dealing at least one card face down to at least two players; dealing at least a first group of community cards placing the community cards face up on the board, placing each card in a cell of a different column; displacing each of the community cards towards a first direction along the respective column after each betting step of one or more betting rounds; dealing a replacement card to replace a community card when said displacing forces said community card beyond the last cell of the column; determining a best poker hand between said at least two players comprising said best poker hand at least one of said at least one face down card initially dealt to one of said at least two players and at least one card from said at least first group of community cards.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said placing each card in a cell comprises: randomly selecting for each card a number between 1 and M to determine the row.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said randomly selecting comprises: dealing a card from a deck of cards having only the cards with the numbers 1 to M.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said randomly selecting comprises: throwing at least one dice to determine the row.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: after a first betting round, dealing at least a second group of at least one community card, placing said at least one community card face up on the board, placing each card in a cell of a different column from the first group.
 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: after a second betting round, dealing at least a third group of at least one community card, placing said at least one community card face up on the board, placing each card in a cell of a different column from the first and second group.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said displacing each of the community cards towards a first direction along the corresponding column comprises: determining if there is an available cell in the corresponding column in the first direction, placing the respective card in the available cell.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the available cell is the next cell in the first direction.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first direction is a descending number direction.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said dealing a replacement card comprises: determining if the community card is in the lowermost cell in the first direction before said displacing; removing the card from the board based on an affirmative answer to said determining; dealing a replacement card.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said dealing a replacement card further comprises placing the replacement card in the uppermost cell in the same column where said determining took place.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein M is at least equal to the number of players.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein M is equal to
 9. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein two cards are initially dealt face down to the at least two players; and the first group of community cards comprises three community cards face up on the board.
 15. A computing device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores computer program instructions executable by the processor, said instructions comprising functionality to execute a method of playing a poker-type card game according to claim
 1. 16. A computer program product comprising instructions to provoke that a computing device implements a method of playing a poker-type card game according to claim
 1. 